Skyline Honeylocust Tree Facts

The thornless skyline honeylocust tree has captured the hearts of arborists, community foresters, and homeowners throughout America. And no wonder. This variety of honey locust tree is easy to plant, grows quickly, has reasonably strong branches, is aesthetically pleasing, and is tough enough to withstand just about any urban setting.

Skyline honeylocust trees have a distinctive pyramidal form, develop a strong, sturdy trunk, and is excellent for creating filtered shade in landscapes. Its beautiful yellow foliage adds color in the fall season.

Skyline Honeylocust Tree Facts

A very important tree for difficult climates, the Skyline Honeylocust thrives where other species may struggle due to its resilience and adaptability. This tree leafs out later than most other shade trees, thus protecting them from devastating late spring freezes and heavy snow. This tree is also very water-thrifty and heat-tolerant.

Fall Season

Another good reason to plant the skyline honeylocust tree is that it drops its leaves earlier, helping it avoid damage by early hard freezes and heavy snow. Upright, spreading, uniform branches form a broadly pyramidal shade tree. Finely textured, dark green, fern-like foliage turns golden-yellow in fall. An excellent choice for lawn areas because its deep roots stay well below the surface. Thornless. Hardy to -30°F Maximum Elevation: 6,000 ft.

Hardiness Zones

The thornless skyline honeylocust tree grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9.

Growth Rate

The Skyline honeylocust tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24″ per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun is ideal for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

SKYLINE HONEYLOCUST TREE Attributes:

• Very easy to plant and grow.
• Provides showy yellow color in the fall.
• Features pinnately or bipinnately compound leaves approximately 8″ long with 8–14 leaflets. They are among the last leaves to emerge in the spring.
• Produces small, greenish-yellow blossoms arranged around notably fragrant spike-like stalks.
• Yields large, brown seed pods resembling twisted leather straps that are 7–8″ long, sometimes reaching up to 18″ in length.
• Develops a thin, airy crown that provides dappled shade while allowing grass to grow beneath.
• Tolerates wet and dry sites, salt, compacted soil, pollution, and most other urban stresses.
• Grows in an oval or round shape.
• Can be planted on hillsides to stabilize poor soil and control erosion.

Planting & Care for skyline honeylocust trees

Preparation

• Honey locust trees make excellent deciduous trees for yards where heavy shade is not needed.
• Some selections start with light yellow leaves that turn green before shifting back to yellow again in the fall.
• Honey locusts tolerate urban conditions, including air pollution and salt spray, making them great street trees. However, older selections produce brown seedpods that drop in fall and can be messy. Some varieties also develop thorns that can be dangerous when working around the tree.
• Plant from spring or early fall in well-drained, deep, fertile soil. However, honey locust trees can adapt to various soil types. Space trees 20 to 30 feet apart.

Opening Plant Material

• Bare Root – Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to the sun. They should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted.
• B&B – Soak the root ball very well.
• Containers – Completely saturate all container plants by putting in a larger container of water until it stops bubbling, and remove. Now you’re ready to plant.
• Each type of plant has an illustration on how to plant if you scroll down and click on the orange rectangular box “Handling & Plant Guidelines”.

Planting Bare Root

• Plant Bare root in the fall. A good indicator that you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, be sure to hold off on planting.
• Dig a hole at least 6″ wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level, where it was grown at the nursery.
• Trim off the broken roots and branches.
• Place fertilizer packets in the hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use our recommended fertilizer.
• Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until the soil settles completely, saturating the soil and planting pit.
• Re-adjust the plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
• Backfill the balance of the soil and water well.
• See our link below, “Handling & Planting Guidelines,” for illustrations on planting.

Planting B&B trees

• Plant B&B trees in the spring or fall. Whenever the soil is loose and workable, planting can proceed; it’s advisable to delay if a hard frost is expected.
• Dig a hole at least 6″ wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
• Notice where the base of the trunk flairs out from the tree. This is called the root flair. This root flair should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball so the root flair is exposed.
• Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer
• Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
• Once the tree is straight and located as desired, cut and remove the twine. Then, remove or bend back the top ⅓ of the metal basket. Lastly, remove exposed burlap from the top of the ball
• Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let it settle.
• The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
• Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
• See our link below, “Handling & Planting Guidelines,” for illustrations on planting.

Planting containers

• Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
• Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6″ or more, making sure it’s wider on the sides
• With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2″ off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
• Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
• Place the root ball in the hole.
• Notice where the base of the trunk flairs out from the tree. This is called the root flair. This root flair should show when the tree is planted. If necessary, add soil under the ball so the root flair is exposed.
• Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
• Backfill the hole with soil, making sure the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
• Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.

Pruning After Planting

• Bare Root – Prune all bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure success. Pruning should occur either before or as soon after planting as possible. All pruning should be done with sharp pruning shears.
• B&B & containers – Although it is not essential for B&B or containers to be pruned after planting, a light pruning for shape, to remove any broken branches from shipping, or to thin out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and in the appearance of your new planting.

Pruning Throughout the Season

• Prune in spring to remove small shoots along the trunk, suckers, water sprouts, and competing branches.
• Prune out dead, diseased, or broken branches any time.
• Honeylocust trees can be vulnerable to various insects and diseases.

Watering After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
• Beyond the 6-week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering Throughout the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the key features of the thornless skyline honeylocust tree?

The skyline honeylocust is prized for its thornless branches, fast growth, pyramidal form, sturdy trunk, and striking yellow fall foliage, making it ideal for landscapes and urban environments.

In which climates and hardiness zones does the skyline honeylocust tree thrive?

This variety is tough and adaptable, growing well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9, and is able to tolerate temperatures as low as -30°F, as well as a variety of urban stresses like pollution and salt.

How quickly does the skyline honeylocust tree grow, and what sunlight does it require?

Skyline honeylocust trees are fast growers, often gaining more than 24 inches in height per year, and they perform best when planted in spots that receive at least six hours of full, unfiltered sunlight daily.

What are the unique attributes and uses of the skyline honeylocust?

The Skyline honeylocust produces fragrant blossoms, showy yellow fall leaves, and long, twisted seedpods, with airy, fern-like foliage that provides filtered shade and allows grass to grow underneath. These qualities make this tree ideal for lawns, erosion control, and urban landscapes.

How should skyline honeylocust trees be planted and cared for after planting?

They can be planted as bare root, balled & burlapped, or container plants in well-drained, fertile soil. After planting, be sure to prune for shape and health. Water thoroughly during the first six weeks, and continue with periodic deep watering, especially during dry spells.

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